To quickly answer the question: YES. At least that was the answer for me. I’ve been an Atlasssian admin for nearly 7 years and I’ve only just this year received my first Atlasssian certification (ACP-600 in case you were curious). It’s only recently that I’ve been able to really appreciate the value of getting certified, and I plan to go for as many certifications as I’m able to.
Getting certified was something that I had thought about from time to time, but honestly I didn’t see how it would help me be better at my job. I had put in a request with my employer to see if they would compensate me for the cost and never really heard anything back. The cost was enough for me at the time that if my employer wasn’t going to worry about it, then I certainly wasn’t.
Fast forward several years and I find myself laid off, and in search of job. The layoff was budget related, the company was having some issues bringing products to market and so cuts were made all over. Even given that I found myself in a position and a state of mind that I hadn’t ever really considered I’d be in. Those who have experienced being laid off know that it can actually be a pretty traumatic event, especially if it’s from somewhere you’ve worked for a long time. I wanted to continue working in the Atlasssian ecosystem as it was something that I had become very familiar and very fond of.
After revamping and updating my resumé, I quickly realized that on paper I didn’t really seem to offer a whole lot to a prospective employer. I had a decent amount of experience in my field but all I had to offer was my word. Now, in an interview that could be enough. If you can talk shop, and give enough context for the things you’ve done in a presentable and coherent manner, then an employer could potentially see the value in what you have to offer.
I was fortunate that eventually that actually happened for me and I landed a job with Praecipio, but before that, I had to fall back on other skills from previous jobs I had done. Part of the requirements for companies that are Atlassian Partners is maintaining a certain level of certification, being certified from the get go gives you a potential advantage. Looking back, I can see that me not having any certifications not only reduced my potential to even land that interview, but maybe also played a part in me being laid off in the first place.
Certifications and similar credentials are there to prove to everyone else that you know what you’re doing and you’re continuing to grow, and learn, and become more proficient in your craft. There is another aspect to this though that had not really occurred to me until now and that is, not only does it prove to others you have the skills to pay the bills, but also to yourself. When you have something tangible that validates all the time and effort you’ve put into becoming the professional you are, it gives you the confidence to raise your own expectations. This is something that is beneficial to the employer and employee alike. If I’m ever again in a position where I’m re-entering the job market looking for that next stage, I will be exponentially more confident that I’ll be able to find something, because I’m taking the time to ensure my resumé reflects my skills with official validation.
So if you’re an Atlassian professional, you like the toolset, you see yourself staying within the ecosystem and want to progress, do yourself a favor and start getting certified. I recommend first going to your employer and seeing if they would be willing to cover the cost. Even if they’re not willing, it’s worth it for you to pursue it on your own. It’s reassurance for the employer, but it’s an investment for the employee. One that will show dividends down the road, regardless of where it leads you.
If you have any questions regarding the Atlassian certification process: contact us, we'd love to talk you through your options.
